The average price for a gallon of regular in Kitsap was
$2.014 per gallon Monday, up just a hair from a week ago when it
was $1.995.

Filling up was still cheaper than a year ago, when the
average price was $2.788.

Nationally, the average price of gas has been under $2 for
most the year, but is now climbing.

AAA noted price swings are typical this time of
year as refineries conduct maintenance. The
association predicts generous supplies of gasoline and low
crude oil cost will keep prices from climbing as high as in
previous years.

At $2.03 per gallon, Washington is one of only four states in
the country where the average price of gas is more than $2.

With prices dropping steadily this month,
AAA predicts the national per-gallon average will reach $2
before Christmas, a low not seen since 2009. The global
petroleum supply continues to outpace demand, helping drive
prices lower.

As for holiday travel, AAA
forecasts a 46.9 million people will leave home for
Thanksgiving this year, 300,000 more than last year. There
will still be fewer people traveling for Thanksgiving
than before the economic recession (50.6 million in 2007 was the
high).

The vast majority of holiday travelers — nearly 90 percent
— will drive, but there’s also some good news for those who
fly. Airfares will be 10 percent lower than a year ago.
Passengers flying one of the 40 domestic routes will pay
around $169 for a round trip.